THREE QUARTERS OF BRITONS HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS

• Almost a third of adults are worried about lack of sleep
• One in ten are depressed or stressed
• 14% of people worry about lack of access to a GP

THREE QUARTERS OF BRITONS HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS

Busy lifestyles and lack of access to health professionals are taking their toll on the nation’s health. According to research by Saga Health Insurance almost three quarters (71%) of adults have some sort of emotional, physical or medical concern. Common issues causing people to worry are feeling tired and run down and overweight.

This situation could be made worse as people cannot see their GP when they want to. One in seven adults are worried about the lack of access to their GP, the GP out of hours service and how much time their doctor spends with them.

The pace of life appears to be taking its toll as almost a third (30%) of adults are worried that they don’t get enough sleep, which in turn leaves them feeling tired, rundown and irritable.

Fast paced lives are not just causing sleepless nights; they are also affecting people physically. A fifth of people worry about feeling overweight (19%) and not doing enough exercise (20%), which in turn could leave them feeling stressed. Although grandparents appear to be more chilled than their grandchildren, as only 6% of people aged 65 or older say they are stressed compared to 17% of those aged 18 to 24.

One in ten adults worry about feeling depressed, especially those between 35 and 54 (12%). While another one in ten people say they worry about being stressed and those between 18 and 24 are the most likely to worry about this (17%).**

It appears that the city lights keeps your spirits up as Londoners (6%) are the least depressed, while people from Wales are the most depressed (17%).

Roger Ramsden, chief executive, Saga Services commented: “It appears that our hectic 24/7 lifestyles are taking their toll, as the biggest health concerns people have are those that are simple to resolve – sleeping and eating. Government campaigns to encourage healthier lifestyles are making people more aware of what they eat and how much they exercise. Perhaps the next big campaign should be to encourage people to relax and get enough sleep.

“Access to GP’s is clearly of great concern and we welcome the current health reforms that put GP’s at the heart of the NHS.”

Saga Health Insurance can take some worries away as customers who have a health plan*** can discuss any medical and health concerns with a practising GP over the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS • *Populus interviewed 2,048 adults online between 11th and 13th May 2012. 960 respondents were over 50, and 488 were retired. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. • **Age group most likely to worry about being depressed or stressed

• *** The Saga GP Telephone Consultation Service is available to people on Saga HealthPlan Super and Saga HealthPlan Secure.

Top 3 Emotional Concerns

1. Feeling tired/run down/irritable (17%)

2. Not getting enough sleep (13%)

3. Feeling stressed (11%)

Top 3 Physical Concerns

1. Not doing enough exercise (20%)

2. Being overweight (19%)

3. Decreasing ability to do day to day tasks around the home (11%)

Top 3 Medical Concerns

1. Lack of access to GP/wait time too long/lack of out of hours cover/not enough time with a GP (14%)